The Dawn of a New Era in Air Supremacy

The skies are on the brink of a transformation. By 2024, the U.S. Air Force is set to select the victor of the sixth-generation NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) fighter competition. This fighter is not just another addition to the arsenal; it’s the herald of a new era in air supremacy. With plans to construct around 200 examples, the NGAD fighter is poised to replace the formidable F-22 Raptor.

At its core, the NGAD is not merely a fighter; it’s a comprehensive family of systems. The heart of this system is a manned fighter aircraft, often referred to as PCA (Penetrating Counter Air). This aircraft is hyper-advanced, stealthy, and is set to redefine air combat.

One of the standout features of the NGAD fighter is its tailless design. This absence of vertical tails is not just for aesthetics; it’s a strategic choice. Vertical tails can compromise stealth by amplifying the aircraft’s radar cross-section, making it more detectable. They also introduce drag, which can hamper the aircraft’s speed. However, this design choice isn’t without its trade-offs. The absence of vertical tails might reduce maneuverability, but this can be counteracted with thrust vectoring engines or innovative use of control surfaces by the flight computer.

Stealth, range, and the integration of drones are likely the primary focus areas for the NGAD, rather than super maneuverability. The aircraft’s engine exhausts are shrouded, reducing its infrared (IR) signature, a crucial feature in an age where modern fighters and defense systems increasingly rely on infrared search and track (IRST) systems to detect stealth aircraft.

Furthermore, as the NGAD soars through the skies, it generates heat, especially at the leading edge of its nose. To manage this, the NGAD will likely employ next-generation radar absorbing materials (RAM coatings). These coatings are designed not only to absorb or scatter radar waves but also to minimize the aircraft’s heat signature. Recent sightings of F-22s and F-35s with chrome or mirror-like finishes suggest that they might be testbeds for these new RAM coatings.

The NGAD’s cockpit is another marvel of design. Traditional cockpit designs can be a source of detection, but the NGAD’s cockpit is seamlessly integrated into the fuselage. The pilot will likely rely on an advanced helmet system that provides visual data from cameras located throughout the aircraft, a technology known as the Distributed Aperture System (DAS). This system, already in use in the F-35, offers pilots a near 360-degree view, allowing them to see behind and even through the aircraft.

But what’s a fighter without its weapons? The NGAD is designed to carry a formidable arsenal without compromising its stealth capabilities. It achieves this by housing its weapons in internal bays. The outer bays are reserved for lighter munitions like air-to-air missiles, while the inner bays, with a higher carrying capacity, are designated for heavier, more potent weapons.

The NGAD is not just a successor to the F-22 Raptor; it represents a paradigm shift in air supremacy. The Raptor, while impressive, has a limitation: its range. Designed for European theaters where combat ranges are shorter, the Raptor’s range becomes a challenge in the vast expanses of the Pacific. The NGAD, however, is designed for longer combat ranges, making it more suited for potential Pacific conflicts.

The NGAD’s design also emphasizes speed. Higher speeds are crucial for a sixth-generation fighter as a missile launched from an aircraft inherits the aircraft’s speed. A faster aircraft can extend a missile’s range. This is especially pertinent when considering hypersonic weapons, which require supersonic speeds for their ramjet engines to activate.

The NGAD’s design is a marvel, but it comes with a hefty price tag. The projected cost per unit is staggering, potentially making it the most expensive weapon system in history. However, the Air Force’s plan to procure 1,000 Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) suggests a vision where two unmanned aircraft are paired with every NGAD fighter or F-35. These drones are not just expendable assets; they are envisioned as “affordable mass” that can be reused and can undertake risks that might be too great for manned aircraft.

In conclusion, the NGAD fighter represents a leap in aerial warfare. Its ability to fly long ranges, supercruise, and maintain an incredibly low radar cross-section are all hallmarks of its design goals. The integration of stealth drones for various tasks further cements its position as the next evolutionary step in aerial warfare.